Richard Charles Martin was born in Strood in the first quarter of 1896. He was the son of Charles and Mary Martin and brother to Ada, Edith and Mabel.<\/p>\n
The 1901 Census shows the family living at 63 Frindsbury Road, Strood. Charles, the father, is listed as a bricklayer\u2019s labourer, who was born in Wateringbury. Richard\u2019s mother stated her place of birth as Hare Street, Hertfordshire.<\/p>\n
Richard may have been influenced by the early recruitment campaigns as he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery on 29th<\/sup> August 1914 in Chatham and took the rank of Gunner. \u00a0His service number was 94764. His occupation was given as a waiter.<\/p>\n However, he was listed amongst the deserters in the Police Gazette<\/em> in January 1915, having gone absent from Aldershot. Whether this was the realisation that the war did not end at Christmas or because his 19th<\/sup> birthday was fast approaching, which would lead to an overseas posting.<\/p>\n Richard did return to the Royal Field Artillery and was posted. He arrived in France on the 13th<\/sup> May 1915. He spent 62 days in France, accidentally drowning on 12th<\/sup> July 1915. \u00a0He is remembered at Hinges Military Cemetery.<\/p>\n His personal effects totalled just over \u00a33 and were claimed by his mother Mary.<\/p>\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56190717<\/a> accessed 04.12.2016<\/p>\n Ancestry.co.uk<\/strong><\/p>\n England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1919<\/em><\/p>\n UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919<\/em>\u00a0[database on-line].<\/p>\n National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers’ Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 166001-167500a; Reference: 63<\/em><\/p>\n 1901 England Census<\/em>\u00a0[database on-line]. Class:\u00a0RG13<\/em>; Piece:\u00a0720<\/em>; Folio:\u00a0100<\/em>; Page:\u00a017<\/em><\/p>\n The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls; Class: WO 329; Piece Number: 2543:<\/em><\/p>\n British Army, deserters and absentees in Police Gazette 1914-1919 Transcription\u00a0 <\/em>http:\/\/search.findmypast.co.uk\/record?id=gbm%2fpolicegazette%2f008887<\/a>\u00a0 Accessed 4.12.2016<\/em><\/p>\n